♥ Wear adequate clothes and proper hiking shoes, as well as bring extra layers.

It might be windy and cold at a mountain top. You might hike under the hot sun through long stretches of exposed terrain. It might start raining. ♥ Prepare for the unexpected. 

♥ A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are must-have items.

♥ Start early to enjoy the walk and keep your piece of mind, – right timing is the key factor for finding the parking space and avoiding the crowds, hiking at a comfortable pace, figuring out the trail, taking photographs.

♥ Make sure there is plenty of day-light ahead of you. Finishing your hike in the darkness can be dangerous.

♥ You need to have some navigation skills and equipment to help you orient yourself when the trail is not obvious and there is no cell signal. 

♥ A combination of electronic navigation and paper is a good route for hiking beginners.

♥ AllTrails is a great navigation application, which allows you to download an offline map. 

♥ Bring a portable charger. Consider putting your phone in flight mode so the battery doesn’t die. Batteries drain quickly when you are out of cell tower range because the phone is continually looking for a signal.

♥ Avoid going off-road and shortcuts on dangerous terrain.

♥ Watch your step. Stay conscious to avoid twisting your ankle, slipping on a rock, tripping on a root, or worse, stepping on some poisonous wildlife.

♥ Don’t leave any rubbish, don’t pick up flowers or rocks.